तत इन्द्रो व्रतं घोरमाचरत्पाकशासनः। तपसा च सुसंयुक्तः सह देवैर्मरुद्गणैः
Then Indra, the subduer of Pāka, undertook a terrible vow, practicing severe austerity together with the gods and the hosts of Maruts.
समुद्रेषु पृथिव्यां च वनस्पतिषु स्त्रीषु च। विभज्य ब्रह्महत्यां च तान्वरैरप्ययोजयत्
He divided the sin of Brahmin-slaying among the oceans, the earth, the trees, and women, assigning it to them by boons.
वरदस्तु वरं दत्त्वा पृथिव्यै सागराय च। वनस्पतिभ्यः स्त्रीभ्यश्च ब्रह्महत्यां नुनोद ताम्
Having granted boons to the earth and the ocean, to the trees and to women, he transferred the sin of Brahmin-slaying to them.
ततस्तु शुद्धो भगवान्देवैर्लोकैश्च पूजितः । इन्द्रस्थानमुपातिष्ठत्पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः
Then, purified, the blessed one, honored by the gods and worlds, assumed the station of Indra, worshipped by the great sages.
त्वष्टा प्रजापतिः श्रुत्वा शक्रेणाथ हतं सुतम्। क्रोधसंरक्तनयन इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Tvaṣṭṛ, the lord of creatures, hearing that his son had been slain by Śakra, his eyes red with anger, spoke these words:
तप्यमानं तपो नित्यं क्षान्तं दान्तं जितेन्द्रियम्। विनाऽपराधेन यतः पुत्रं हिंसितवान्मम
My son, who practiced austerity constantly, who was patient, self-controlled, and master of his senses, was harmed by you without any fault.
तस्माच्छक्रविनाशाय वृत्रमुत्पादयाम्यहम्। लोकाः पश्यन्तु मे वीर्यं तपसश्च बलं महम् । स च पश्यतु देवेन्द्रो दुरात्मा पापचेतनः
Therefore, for the destruction of Śakra, I will create Vṛtra; let the worlds witness my power and the might of my austerity, and let that evil-minded, wicked-hearted Indra see as well.
उपस्पृश्य ततः क्रुद्धस्तपस्वी सुमहायशाः । अग्नौ हुत्वा समुत्पाद्य घोरं वृत्रमुवाच ह
Then, having purified himself, angry, and possessed of great fame, the ascetic, after offering oblations into the fire, produced the terrible Vṛtra and spoke to him.
इन्द्रशत्रो विवर्धस्व प्रभावात्तपसो मम। सोऽवर्घत दिवं स्तब्ध्वा सूर्यवैश्वानरोपमः
O slayer of Indra, grow in strength by the power of my austerity! Thus, having blocked the heavens, he stood firm, blazing like the sun and fire.
किं करोमीति चोवाच कालसूर्य इवोदितः। शक्रं जहीति चाप्युक्तो जगाम त्रिदिवं ततः
He spoke, 'What shall I do?' rising like the sun of time; and when told, 'Slay Indra,' he went to the threefold heaven.
ततो युद्धं समभवद्वृत्रवासवयोर्महत्। संक्रुद्धयोर्महाघोरं प्रसक्तं कुरुसत्तम
Then a great battle arose between Vṛtra and Vāsava, fierce and terrible, as both were enraged, O best of the Kurus.
ततो जग्राह देवेन्द्रं वृत्रो वीरः शतक्रतुम् । अपावृत्याक्षिपद्वक्रे शक्रं कोपसमन्वितः
Then Vṛtra, the hero, seized Indra, the wielder of a hundred sacrifices, and, having overpowered him, hurled him aside in anger.
ग्रस्ते वृत्रेण शक्रे तु संभ्रान्तास्त्रिदिवेश्वराः। असृजंस्ते महासत्वा जृम्भिकां वृत्रनाशिनीम्
When Indra was swallowed by Vṛtra, the lords of the three worlds were alarmed; they released a mighty yawn, destroyer of Vṛtra.
विजृम्भमाणस्य ततो वृत्रस्यास्यादपावृतात्। स्वान्यङ्गान्यभिसंक्षिप्य निष्क्रान्तो बलनाशनः
Then, as Vṛtra's mouth yawned wide open, the destroyer of strength, having contracted his own limbs, escaped from within.
ततः प्रभृति लोकस्य जृम्भिका प्राणिसंश्रिता। जहृषुश्च सुराः सर्वे शक्रं दृष्ट्वा विनिःसृतम्
From that time, yawning became inherent among living beings; and all the gods rejoiced, seeing Indra emerge.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं वृत्रवासवयोः पुनः । संरब्धयोस्तदा घोरं सुचिरं भरतर्षभ
Then again a battle broke out between Vṛtra and Vāsava, fierce and prolonged, as both were enraged, O bull among the Bharatas.
यदा व्यवर्धत रणे वृत्रो बलसमन्वितः। त्वष्टुस्तेजोबलाविद्धस्तदा शक्रो न्यवर्तत
When Vṛtra, endowed with strength, grew powerful in battle, pierced by the energy and might of Tvaṣṭṛ, then Indra withdrew.
निवृत्ते च तदा देवा विषादमगमन्परम् । समेत्य सह शक्रेण त्वष्टुस्तेजोविमोहिताः
When Indra withdrew, the gods fell into great despair, gathered together with him, bewildered by Tvaṣṭṛ's energy.
अमन्त्रयन्त ते सर्वे मुनिभिः सह भारत। किं कार्यमिति वै राजन्विचिन्त्य भयमोहिताः
All of them, together with the sages, deliberated, O Bhārata, thinking, 'What should be done?'—confused by fear.
जग्मुः सर्वे महात्मानं मनोभिर्विष्णुमव्ययम्। उपविष्टा मन्दराग्रे सर्वे वृत्रवधेप्सवः
All went in their minds to the imperishable Viṣṇu, seated at the summit of Mandara, all desiring the slaying of Vṛtra.
सर्वं व्याप्तमिदं देवा वृत्रेण जगदव्ययम्। न ह्यस्य सदृशं किञ्चित्प्रतिघाताय यद्भवेत्
The gods said: All this imperishable world has been enveloped by Vṛtra; there is nothing equal to him that could oppose him.
समर्थो ह्यभवं पूर्वमसमर्थोऽस्मि सांप्रतम्। कथं नु कार्यं भद्रं वो दुर्धर्षः स हि मे मतः
I was capable before, but now I am powerless; what should be done for your welfare? For he seems invincible to me.
तेजस्वी च महात्मा च युद्धे चामितविक्रमः । ग्रसेत्रिभुवनं सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम्
He is radiant, great-souled, and of immeasurable valor in battle; he could devour all three worlds, with gods, asuras, and humans.
तस्माद्विनिश्चयमिमं शृणुध्वं त्रिदिवौकसः। विष्णोः क्षयमुपागम्य समेत्य च महात्मना
Therefore, O dwellers of heaven, listen to this decision: having approached the abode of Viṣṇu, and united with that great soul—
एवमुक्ते मघवता देवाः शर्षिगणास्तदा। शरण्यं शरमं देवं जग्मुर्विष्णुं महाबलम्
When Maghavan had spoken thus, the gods and hosts of sages went to Viṣṇu, the refuge and protector, the mighty god.
ऊचुश्च सर्वे देवेशं विष्णुं वृत्रभयार्दिताः। त्रयो लोकास्त्वया क्रान्तास्त्रिभिर्विक्रमणैः पुरा
All, afflicted by fear of Vṛtra, addressed Viṣṇu, lord of the gods: 'By your three strides, the three worlds were traversed before.'
अमृतं चाहृतं विष्णो दैत्याश्च निहता रणे। बलिं बद्ध्वा महादैत्यं शक्रो देवाधिपः कृतः
The nectar was retrieved by Viṣṇu, the Daityas were slain in battle, Bali the great Daitya was bound, and Śakra was established as lord of the gods.
त्वं प्रभुः सर्वदेवानां त्वया सर्वमिदं ततम्। त्वं हि देवो महादेव सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः
You are the lord of all the gods; by you this entire universe is pervaded. Indeed, you are the god, the great god, honored by all the worlds.
गतिर्भव त्वं देवानां सेन्द्राणाममरोत्तम। जगद्व्याप्तमिदं सर्वं वृत्रेणासुरसूदन
You are the refuge of the gods, including Indra, O best of immortals; this whole world is pervaded by you, O slayer of Vṛtra and Asuras.
अवश्यं करणीयं मे भवतां हितमुत्तमम्। तस्मादुपायं वक्ष्यामि यथाऽसौ नभविष्यति
It is absolutely necessary for me to accomplish your highest good; therefore, I will tell you a means by which he will not exist.